Prospect Talent Score

Probability of Success

History

Lindgren became a top scorer for Finland in U17. A year later, things changed with the players around him, but he was ready for a breakout in Finnish Jr A. A point per game was nothing in the playoffs where he set a new record by doubling the pace to help Ilves win the championship. The following U18 WC of 2005 was a major disappointment, as the team’s key player failed to produce until relegation series. At the same time, Lindgren is looking to begin his professional career.

2005-06: Lindgren began his first full season with Ilves Tampere (SML) and took the team and the top Finnish league by storm. He scored 13 goals and 37 points, good for second on the club, despite being the youngest regular on the team. Took home Rookie of the Year honors in the SM-Liiga. He went point-per-game in six games for Finland during the World Junior Championships, however, five of his six points came in a single game against Norway.

2006-07: The Tampere native returned to his hometown team for his second professional season. He grabbed a, comparatively, tame 22 assists and 26 points in 43 games, that was good enough for the second most assists on the squad. Lindgren scored four goals and six points in seven playoff games, also good for second on the team. Went on to lead the U20 World Juniors in assists and tie for the most points (2+8=10 in six games). 2007-08: Lindgren came to North America for the first time after the Stars signed him to his entry-level contract. He joined the Iowa Stars (AHL) and netted a respectable 34 points in 69 games. Notably, he registered just six penalty minutes the entire season.2008-09: Lindgren returned to Finland when he was loaned to Lukko of the Sm-Liiga. He finished with 5 goals and 19 assists in 49 games. In 7 relegation games, Lindgren scored just 1 goal.2009-10: Lindgren returned to the AHL, appearing in 74 games with the Texas Stars(AHL). He scored 14 goals and added 33 assists. Lindgren also brought it in the playoffs, scoring 7 goals and picking up 10 assists in 24 games. Lindgren also played in his first NHL game with the Dallas Stars(NHL).

2010-11: Lindgren returned to his native Finland where he regained his form that made him the SM-Liiga Rookie of the Year in 2006. He led the league in assists (43) and points (66) for Lukko Rauma. His skills never fully translated to the more rough and tumble North American game and it appears that he may be better suited to being an upper-echelon European player than a (for the time being) struggling or middling North American player.

Talent Analysis

Lindgren is a finesse player whose stickhandling, vision and skating are second to none in his parts. Traditionally a playmaker, he is now preying more and more on the net with sniper instincts. Lindgren's physique doesn't make him ill-prepared for physical play and he can fend for himself, but to harass opponents with hits is simply something he doesn't do. He is a center not quite in the optimized 2000's mold and he usually isn't the one to play forecheck. His two-way game focuses on cutting passing lines and directing transitions. Lindgren's offense needs to be harnessed if he is to be of proper use in the NHL, and while he isn't the first in line for the scoring lines, he isn't that far off either.